Comprehending the Plight of San Diego’s Homeless: is There a Sea Change Coming?

The need for low-income housing continues to increase while, at the same time, the inventory of affordable housing units is not keeping pace with the demand. Fact: Several organizations, including Civic San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission, and others, are helping to provide affordable housing in San Diego’s communities. Fact: The San Diego Housing Commission has reserves of $84 million. Fact: Studies have shown that when housing and services are provided to homeless people, the cost of their use of public services can be significantly reduced.

Agencies and funding exist that could combine to produce low-income housing, which ultimately could save taxpayers money by getting the most vulnerable off the streets. Fact: Both the City and County of San Diego have surplus property. Fact: The California Surplus Land Act requires cities and counties to give excess property holdings priority for low-income housing development.

State mandates need to be followed to make available the appropriate properties for low-income housing development. Fact: Civic San Diego provides an annual listing of its development projects and their status.

The public would benefit from expanded opportunities to observe the progress the City and County of San Diego are making in developing moderate- and low-income housing. Fact: Both the City and County of San Diego provide inducements to developers to include low- income/affordable units in their projects. Fact: The Grand Jury was unable to find a verification process that ensures low- income/affordable units are built in such developments or that residents rightfully qualify. 6

The City and County of San Diego have the responsibility for ensuring that low- income/affordable housing units are appropriately included in developments when inducements have been provided to do so.